![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
( closed. )
Who: kotomine kirei (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
congratulating) & archer (fakers), with some special guest cameos
What: just two guys hanging out, being buds (disclaimer: this may be slightly inaccurate)
When: shortly after the beach event
Where: olympia after dark
Warning(s): violence, gratuitous typemoon power level babbling
[ closed log for confrontation between archer and kotomine, and the ensuing aftermath. starters below. ]
congratulating) & archer (fakers), with some special guest cameosWhat: just two guys hanging out, being buds (disclaimer: this may be slightly inaccurate)
When: shortly after the beach event
Where: olympia after dark
Warning(s): violence, gratuitous typemoon power level babbling
[ closed log for confrontation between archer and kotomine, and the ensuing aftermath. starters below. ]
kotomine kirei
"I know who you are."
the conflict between these two men was deeply personal... perhaps he could have overlooked the priest if he hadn't heard those five words, but now the die has been cast. shirou emiya and kotomine kirei are two existences that are unable to coexist; in some ways, two sides of the same coin. if his life had taken another path, it isn't a stretch to think heroic spirit emiya could have ended up much like the executioner his father once considered his biggest threat.
archer now shares that belief; among all those who have awoken and descended from thesa, kotomine kirei is one of the most dangerous. not because of his abilities, but because of his mindset. archer knows quite well... even one without power can become unstoppable if driven by belief.
he had considered seeking guidance from rin on how to deal with this, but she had refused. he recognized why: kirie wasn't someone the two of them could agree on. her lingering affection for him blinded him to his true nature, while archer's insistence on keeping his own secrets made it impossible for rin to entirely trust him. so in the end, archer must do this alone, the only way he knows how.
perched atop one of the taller buildings in olympia, he waits. he's kept tabs on kirei since he first arrived, so he generally knows the man's schedule... or thereabouts. thankfully, the priest is out and about this night, meaning it's the perfect opportunity for archer to strike. he doesn't have the luxury of failure; his first shot must eliminate the priest. if he misses, the balance of power shifts. kirei is a master with his own servant now, so without the element of surprise archer will not be able to kill him.
which is why as soon as kirei emerges from the building he'd been occupying, archer takes aim. he concentrates more than he normally would, perhaps legitimately nervous about a shot for the first time he can remember. but once he's sure he has the priest in his sight, he lets his arrow fly.
though as it leaves his bow, he notices the shaft of the arrow flicker, the magic circuits he'd been accessing to project it fizzling ineffectively. tsk... he's in even worse condition than he realized. that complicates things. ]
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He uses cloth and makeshift splints to help those willing to accept his aid. Little mana is wasted unless he is under the belief that the person knows of magic. This is little to do with upholding mage law, but it is ensuring that few know of his true skills. A world that is based on good intentions was incapable of scrubbing away the darkness. But it is human nature, nay it is the nature of all things, to crave violence.
Stepping out into the street, he is not too surprised to see so few people out and about. The hour is late -- probably later than what he believed it to be -- but that too is fine. It isn't so much that he's attempting to build a reputation for himself; people will see him however they desire to see him. This is a truth that he has learned long ago. His father ignored everything about him; no matter what shape that he took before Risei, his father never saw him. And so, he neither perpetuates nor builds it because he knows the futility of it all.
He stops.
His eyes dart to the side before he abruptly throws himself to the side. It is the feeling in the air -- the static felt in the arrow as it drew close to alert him of its presence. Kirei pauses to look where it now sticks in the ground and stands. For a moment, he palms the Black Key hilt in his hand, but leaves it. There is only one left. It won't do to lose it to a projectile. His thoughts move swiftly, feeling little fatigue in his body.
Kirei looks at the arrow again before shifting his stance to look to where it originated from. A poorly created weapon. Archer is still Masterless. He stands at the ready, giving him a look of challenge. Now that his position is given away -- he lifts his hand up for the Servant to see. No, he has not yet called Avenger but gives him the false belief that he did. That would mean that Archer will have to end this quickly -- and no longer rely on poorly constructed arrows to do the job. ]
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but against kirei, they should suffice. faced against another hero's noble phantasm the fakes wouldn't last, but his opponent now is just a human. an exceptional human, but a human all the same. magical energy courses through archer's legs, reinforced to make his charge faster.
one strike. the longer this draws on, the less his chances of victory. so there's no pretense, no trickery: he simply charges kirei head on, blade in each hand. move quickly enough that the priest cannot react, even if he sees the attack coming. predictability means nothing if the attacker's specs far exceed the targets: in a normal situation, that would definitely be the case.
but as archer is now... he isn't sure, but can't afford not to take the gamble. ]
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But unlike with your father, you're leaving yourself open because you believe me at the disadvantage. You're not anticipating me to be able to attack back. He shifts his stance, launching himself backwards with a sliding backstep. Lifting his arm to "block" the strike, he feels the blade cut cleanly through -- leaving a splatter of red and deep gashes.
Planting himself firmly, he ignores his injured arm because it is inconsequential. Archer is still rushing forward in his attack and Kirei takes those precious seconds before the Servant can back up -- before he can get out of his range -- to grab onto his arm and pull him closer. His leg already is snapping out in his attack to "catch" the body, and he attempts to use momentum that Archer had to close in to add to the damage of his kick. ]
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so instead he mostly takes it, though he slashes down at the leg that hits him as soon the blow has found purchase. as a servant, he can simply ignore the pain of the attack, though it's impressive to begin with that a simple kick from a priest could even harm a servant at all. even a servant whose being greatly weakened by his lack of a master.
his slash manages to graze kirei's legs, though even then it doesn't do as much damage as he'd hoped. he takes a moment to break away from the other man, taking a second to catch his breath and gauge his options. ]
We meet again. [ clearly. an odd thing to say to someone after you've just tried to kill him, but what else is he supposed to say here? ]
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I'm reminded right now of the fight I had with Kiritsugu. You are the actualized wish of Shirou to be a hero, and if I recall... it was because of your father that you cultivated that wish at all. [ He breathes out a laugh as he smiles. His tone is exceptionally (maddeningly) friendly. ] It is like looking into the past, I must say. Though, I have grown older and my abilities are no longer at their peak... even I can acknowledge that much about myself.
[ Archer may notice that the blood has stopped pouring down Kirei's arm. The sound of it dripping onto the pavement has stopped. Black mud slowly pulsates out of the wound before closing it completely. The same with the graze on his leg. ]
Your father was a disappointment. [ He cuts to the chase as he takes a step forward. ] In the end, he couldn't do anything to achieve his wish. In the end, he became a hollowed, broken man. After all his sacrifices, after all his struggling... he gave up. [ The best way to ensure the battle goes in one's favor is to drive the other opponent mad. ]
And you have the same scent of someone who is going to give up. Truly, am I looking at Emiya Kiritsugu's ideals crystallized by Emiya Shirou ... or the broken ideal?
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[ that said, he actually is a little curious to hear the priest's story... during his life, he'd learned much about his father's past, the stories of the so-called Magus Killer. but what had happened during the fourth war was always a mystery to him; there was no one who could recount those things to him.
that kirei was connected to kiritsugu comes as no surprise, but the extent of their connection is. ]
Just like you know nothing about me, you know nothing of the man called Emiya Kiritsugu. Giving up? [ he grits his teeth at that, readying his swords again for another attack. ] A man like you could never understand what he was striving for. What he hoped to achieve. If you think he was defeated, you're wrong.
[ he finally charges again, slashing at kirei's head with one blade while the other stabs at his chest. ] His sacrifices, his regrets... what could you understand!? You're nothing more than an empty shell searching for meaning he'll never find!
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[ He side steps, avoiding the blade swinging at his head, and twists his body into a half-turn to avoid the stab but end up with the blade lodged in his shoulder. Grabbing onto one arm, he does us this as leverage for another kick. Instead, he strikes with his fist. He focuses his attack just below the elbow, meant to damage down to the bone. ] Your father was defeated by his own sentimentality. He wasn't able to rise up after he failed.
[ He leans in. ] I saw him during the fire. Are you curious about what expression he wore before he found you, Emiya Shirou?
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You have no right to judge his methods. Even a foolish dream can still be beautiful. Unlike you, he could at least recognize the Grail for what it was... that it was something that shouldn't exist.
[ archer reinforces his arm before kirei's attack connects, though the priest's fist still feels like iron hitting iron. the man's training is truly something else; knowing that kiritsugu was able to defeat this man just raises his respect for his own father. magus killer, indeed. ]
I don't care about such a thing. I know that expression all too well. [ the despair kiritsugu felt... archer has felt that a millionfold. but that despair isn't what matters. it's a price to be paid, not the end result. ] Though what expression were you wearing at that time, I wonder? Did you feel nothing, even then? How laughable. Someone like you can't even be called human.
[ he hurls one of his blades, which spins around in a wide arc before coming back at kirei from behind. pushing himself further, archer projects another blade, feeling more of his magic circuits screaming at him to stop. instead, he presses forward, looking for any opening to thrust his blade. he settles for kirei's chest, the most obvious target. ]
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Of course, you know that expression. Of course, you do. He gifted you a foolish dream. A foolish reality! You should be cursing him more than you curse Emiya Shirou, who was caught up in Kiritsugu's existence. [ His smile twists to show the cruelty behind it. Yes, he cannot be considered human; it is something that he's accepted of himself long ago. Such words do little to hurt him anymore. ] I felt something. I felt delight and laughter bubbled out my mouth. I saw Hell and I could only feel joy.
[ Yet that is not true. The happiness he felt was mixed with agony over feeling that happiness. It was not true joy, but he refuses to admit that to Archer. Not yet; he's not yet to where he can hear and understand such words.
Blood abruptly erupts out of his mouth as the thrown blade slams into his back. He had seen him hurl the blade and thought it a wasted action -- that was his own foolishness. Kirei finally lets go of Archer's arm to grab onto the dagger in his shoulder.
Ripping it free, he parries the knife going for his chest before quickly shifting his hold on the blade in hand to throw it back. But not aimed at the chest -- aimed to puncture one of the legs. He didn't know how long it would be before the blade would disintegrate so he had to make the most of it. Already, he is grabbing and pulling free the blade from his back. Like with the first, he feels it almost snap out of his hand from the speed at which he throws.
Jeanne. I am need you to come to me. I am fighting Archer... you understand what that means, right? If I die here, you will not be able to bring me to Hell. So, hurry to our position, if you could. ]
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I will never curse that man. The failings of his foolish son... [ he can't really deny that kiritsugu contributed, but he still can't bring himself to hate that man. the day kiritsugu saved shirou was the day archer began down the path he walks now, but even so how can the saved ever hate his savior? ] Those are his, and his alone.
[ is kirei capable of feeling joy? somehow, archer can't see it. because on some level he understands the other man, he can somewhat understand his reactions. joy in the face of such utter despair... on one hand, it seems fitting of kirei. but on the other, is destruction alone enough to give that man's life meaning? if that were true, there was no need for him to press on.
figuring he could press his advantage and finish this, archer grows reckless. he allows the thrown blade to hit his leg, pushing through the pain as he brings one of his swords down in a slash at kirei's neck. instead, he redirects his blade to block the second of kirei's throws, though he grimaces as the attack forces him to fall back. ]
If you enjoy Hell so much, I'll be happy to take you back there.
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You will not ever curse him. [ A careful repeating of those words. ] How unfortunate. It would seem like we have something else in common, Shirou. For as much as Kiritsugu disappointed me, for as much as he became nothing more than a shadow, I also can never truly curse him.
[ Kirei nearly comments that it would seem every Servant wants him to go to Hell, but relents on that observation. ] And one day, perhaps, you will... but it will not be today. [ He launches himself forward after Archer's fall back. Curling his hand into a fist, he feels the past replay for him -- he throws his punch forward not caring if he hits man or blade. It is intended to shatter whatever he comes in contact with. While he would like for it to be Archer's body, he would settle for the knife in his hand to be broken.
Whether it connects or not, it doesn't matter to Kirei. It is only the move he uses to draw himself in closer to Archer. His leg swings out low to knock the Servant off of his feet and onto the hard pavement. Hardly enough to knock the wind out of him, he's certain. He carries through with the last of his assault -- by dropping low and latching onto Archer's shoulders; Kirei would swing his own body up before slamming his knee down onto him. ]
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so he projects one more time, though even the magical energy coursing through him as he does so seems weaker than usual. the blades appear in his hands, one final time, though as he moves to drive them into kirei's body above him, he comes to the painful realization that they lack enough substance to fulfill their task. even upon contact with the priest, the blades shattered; while certainly painful, the cuts incurred will hardly be lethal.
the opening at least lets archer push himself away, far enough that he can lean an arm against a wall for support. that kirei is this strong even by himself wasn't a possibility he had considered; though whether its truly kirei's strength or merely his own weakness, he isn't sure.
for now... he needs to go. the thought pounds in the back of his mind, and he understands immediately. while archer had figured kirei had been so absorbed in the fight he had forgotten, he was incorrect. archer can sense the approach of another servant immediately once she's in the proximity. if he doesn't leave this place before she arrives, that's it for him.
but kirei is unlikely to make it simple for him to leave either. in his condition, his body battered, it's barely all he can to do keep himself on his feet. he needs time to recover... time and mana he no longer has. ]
To think you'd talk this much even in battle. [ a cough. ] You really do love the sound of your own voice.
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What? [ Yes, that is right. If there is one thing that he can say about Emiya Shirou, it is the young man never gives up. This is someone built on ideals and a foolish dream -- of course, Archer would have the same tenacity. He doesn't have the time to get away. All he can do is lean backwards to attempt to roll off the body, but the blades are already shattering as they make contact with him.
The pieces leave cuts and embed themselves in his body -- in his arm and half his torso. He looks down at himself as soon as he has gotten a distance away. Already, the blades are disintegrating but the injuries remain and begin pouring out blood. Kirei looks up to see where Archer is and sees him using the wall as a support. ]
Perhaps, I do talk a bit too much, but it would appear that you're out of time, Emiya Shirou. [ He pushes himself up to stand, holding a hand against his bleeding side. ] You chose to face me without a Master. What foolishness drove you to such a decision?
[ Kirei turns to look toward their battlefield, seemingly ignoring Archer, but he believes the Servant can't get away easy. ] You should gather every strength and every means if you wish to truly kill me. As you are, you are but a shadow of what you could be. Such haphazard preparations is what lead to your failure here. Rest assured, I believe in your abilities, Emiya Shirou.
[ He smiles as he walks (shuffles, favoring one leg over the other) over toward a pool of blood and can't tell if it is his own or Archer's. ] But you must taste real failure here. My Servant shall be arriving. I believe we should repeat the past that I have come from. A lesson needs to be carved into the flesh and bone. You should understand how foolish you are.
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[ he admits it freely, seeing no reason not to at this point. a human capable of fighting a servant... obviously he knows such a thing is possible, but he hadn't expected this man to be able to fend him off. even weakened without a master, this should not have been as close a battle as it was. ]
No, it's not just that. You... you've been tainted by that mud, haven't you? [ he heals too quickly; though kirei is a priest, archer hasn't seen him use any spells to restore his condition. no, it's more of a natural regeneration. something a human shouldn't be capable of. and if a part of the grail really has managed to escape the Storm within kirei's body, that's all the more reason why the priest needs to die. ]
Though if you think I'm finished, you're wrong. You've made a miscalculation, priest. If my death is guaranteed, there's no need for me to hold anything back. [ his entire body begins coursing with magic energy, pouring from every reserve he has. even then, he's not sure it will be enough, but if he can create it even for just a moment... that should be enough. ]
[ he can tell avenger is close now - he likely won't be able to finish this before she arrives, but it shouldn't matter. one last attack... that's all he cares about right now. his right arm gives out, the nerves in it screaming at him to stop what he's doing. he can feel his limbs all losing their strength, but he presses on all the same. it's too late to turn back now; without the resolve to see this through to the end, he never should have attacked kirei to begin with. ]
Have withstood pain to create many weapons, yet those hands will never hold anything.
So as I pray..."
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This meeting between the two servants was not as lighthearted as their previous. It was apparent by the air that surrounded Avenger as she entered the fray. Her emergence was abrupt, a blaze of fury and violence almost exclusive to her and those like her. Once described as living artillery in clothes, it was only a fitting description for those who hadn't actually experienced her wrath.
The darkness of the park was soon illuminated by a ring of fire signaling her arrival. From the flames, a flourish of embers and black. A brandished flagspear as her weapon, traveling at high speed towards the enemy Servant. Her appearance would likely interrupt his chant. ]
Ah! The time for revenge has come!
[ Weapon in hand, she would close the gap between herself and Archer. Unlike the sloppy first encounter, her movements were precise, weaving through the space between them with finesse. The same wild expression was painted on her face she she brought the piercing strike towards his throat, while sweeping her own leg at his ankles.
If he avoids the trip attack and leaps backwards, he will find himself nicked by the tip of her spear. A deep laceration his payment; if he falls to the ground, she will stand over him and bring the weapon to rest at his neck in perceived checkmate, though unscathed by her. The choice was his. ]
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[ He continues to admire the stained stones of the pavement. As before, black mud starts to bubble up from the inside of his body out. It coats the latest injury first to begin healing. His head turns slightly when Archer says that he's made a miscalculation. It is only a second later does he realize what he's miscalculated.
The distance that the two of them are at puts him at a disadvantage in two ways. The slow regeneration of his body isn't enough for him to start sprinting toward Archer to stop his chant. While he is able to throw his single Black Key, his current position does not lend for him to be able to throw it accurately. At best, it will be a poorly flung blade that won't interrupt Archer.
He takes two large steps back as he contemplates retreat even as he snaps the Black Key out in his hand. His arm pulling back just as Archer finishes as he thinks that maybe -- maybe -- he'll be able to land a hit before the final words. But it seems like he does not have to worry. The tension in his back fades as his Servant manifests herself, as she announces herself.
Ah, indeed, that was close. Truly a grave miscalculation on my part. ]
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sadly, he doesn't. avenger spends no time hesitating before coming at him, and his body is hardly in good enough condition to engage her head on. all he can do is dodge back, even if he knows it won't be enough. the blade of her spear manages to scrape by the side of his neck, cutting deep enough he's forced to bring a hand up to his neck to quell the bleeding. ]
It looks like my time is up. [ he doesn't particularly bear avenger any ill will for this, even if her interruption is obviously a problem. she's merely doing what she must, following the commands of the person she's sworn loyalty. even kirei hadn't done anything particularly grievous - the fault for this failure lies squarely on his own shoulders.
he could still launch himself at kirei one last time, hoping that perhaps avenger won't bother to protect him in her fury. but even as the idea occurs to him, he recognizes how foolish it is - corrupted or not, that is still the hero of france. defending is in her nature.
he has no time for another pithy reply; no clever insult to throw before departing. instead he grasps at the magical energy he had collected for his noble phantasm, now simply lingering unused. it's enough to muster up a barrage of swords, which quickly hurtle at both jeanne and kirei. the projections are half finished and shoddy, destroyed at the slightest of contact-
but they serve fine as a distraction, enough for him to launch himself away into the night. ]
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Serves you right, you know. If not because you picked a fight with Archer, but because you are God-fearing rubbish. You're lucky I can't finish you off right here.
[ She spoke menacingly as she approached him, halting just out of reach, best not to stand too close. In true petty fashion, she would then begin to circle him, while observing his condition and prattling on about how badly he fared in his dual with Archer. ]
Are you really that stupid? Do you wake up and go "hmm how do I breathe today?" thinking about everything you do? What sort of fever induced voice of the heavens told you that fighting a Servant was a good idea? Isn't that why you have me? Christ, I can't have you being an idiot and getting us killed you know.
[ Her words held anger with them as she concluded her pacing, and stood before him with her hands on her hips. ] Time to go.
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His head tilts as he responds: ] Truly, you are my Servant. [ Turning his head carefully side-to-side, he slowly recovers from the damage Archer inflicted on his body. It will take a good hour before recovery is absolute. First, it stops the bleeding then works on everything else. He flicks his fingers again, flicking some stray droplets onto the pavement near some other stained stones. ]
Archer is the one who decided to target me, Jalter. However, he is Masterless and has been Masterless for a few days time if Rin's account is to be taken as truth. [ A smile. ] Rest assured, I have no intention of dying. [ He tries not to laugh. ] I am going to keep my promise to you in letting you drag me to Hell.
We shall return home, yes. [ Kirei wonders how much his Servant can sense, if she can tell that the black mud is coursing through his body and attempting to repair what Archer has destroyed. ] But... I am going to need to speak to Rin privately on this matter. Can I ask a favor of you, Avenger? As injured as Archer is, he is not a fool. He knows I will have to retreat and need only regain enough mana to fire at a distance.
[ He walks as an injured man, dragging one leg behind him. ] Would you stay outside of our house while I speak to Rin... and tell me if any Servant is approaching. I am entrusting my life... no, our lives to you. It's a dangerous thing to ask of you since you are at a disadvantage in a long-range fight. But I hope you will allow me this impertinent request.
zero
instead, he'd let his emotions get the best of him. the true cause of his failure was simple: he had felt fear of the other man. kotomine represents something that archer could not accept, but simply wanting to deny another isn't enough to be victorious over him.
particularly when that man commands a Servant more powerful than archer to begin with. he knew when his first shot at kirei had missed that his fate was likely sealed: he'd engaged kirei, even knowing that at any time kirei could end the battle by calling for his Servant. he had thought that perhaps he could draw kirei into their battle, get a rise out of him that would cause him to forget himself. but no, that man was simply too composed. trying to draw rage from a man with no heart was obviously a futile task.
while he'd managed to barely get away, his injuries were far too serious for him to recover from. perhaps with a proper Master, he could have drawn enough mana to heal these wounds. but as it was, all he could do is drag himself through the dark streets of the city, trying to avoid running into anyone else. he's not sure where he's trying to get to, but he recognizes this as the residential district. if he is to fade into the night, best he do it alone. ]
...what a pathetic end. [ his lips curl into a weary smile at that. in a way, isn't this what he always wanted? with his world gone, perhaps this sleep really will be a final one. he finally slumps over, leaning himself against a wall. ] Why do regrets come to mind, only now? What a laugh.
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that future remains somewhat bleak and not at all thought-out when there are no reliable disciples to help her. the ones she had; they'd all gone back to their original forms, after all. they had fallen in that battle, just as zero has.
her scourging finally has meaning when she hears the weak, familiar voice from one of the allies. normally, she wouldn't care; people die every day, and she doesn't feel like it's necessary to save anyone when their time is up. but the grip on her sword tightens as she casually steps into the alley way— and both of her brows rise when her gaze meet archer's weary ones.
zero had managed to catch what he says, and instead of immediately coming to his side, her expression turns abruptly into irritation, stepping deliberately toward him. ]
Didn't know you were the kind to get in fights like this. [ she stands before him, allowing themselves some space in case he decides to lash out at her. ] What's the matter, you gonna give it up here?
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It's you. [ the words are strained; it hurts to even talk at this point. part of him almost wants to explain himself - to make clear he wasn't fighting for no reason. but the words catch in his throat. what's the point of trying to justify himself to her? it's not like he needs her validation. and yet, part of him does still want someone to be with him in his final moments. someone who understands. ]
I picked a fight I couldn't win, and ended up like this. A sorry sight, aren't I? [ he makes no attempt to defend himself, like he normally would. no grand standing, or smug insult back at her. ]
Unfortunately, this isn't... [ he stops, his words interrupted by a small cough of blood. ] ...really a matter of "giving up" at this point.
[ his injuries are serious, but that's not what seals his fate. he holds his hand up to drive the point home: it's faint, but he's already begun fading away. ]
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"i can hear you crying."
"you're mistaken, that was a laugh."
zero narrows her eye. are you laughing? ]
Yeah, you are. [ there's neither sympathy nor empathy in her voice; it's monotonous, a tone of someone who's seen many die before her— by her own hands or otherwise. ] But hey, death's never a pretty thing.
[ she isn't sure if she's trying comfort him at this point. instinctively, the grip on her blade continues to tighten, as though to hold back the impulse to end someone's misery.
zero steps forward takes a hold of his wrist. is he... fading? ] This have to do something with being a Servant?
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No, it never is. [ "wish for death"... the words he'd seen back then come to mind. ] A shame... it seems I've stolen your wish.
[ he's more or less prepared for the end, though he opens his eyes once more when he feels her take hold of his wrist. a gesture to ease his passing? ha... she really is softer than she lets on. ]
I was merely living on borrowed time to begin. A Servant is one who's already died... a ghost brought back to fight for the sake of the living. [ he pauses, feeling something flowing back into him from where she holds his arm, though it's too little too late at this point. ] My battle is just over for now.
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[ it's meant to be a scold, but somehow she ends up sounding more fond than she intends, mostly because he would actually remember something like that. it was already established the nametags amounted to much; they're just extremely simplified tidbits of something much more complicated.
zero doesn't entirely get how servants work; the only thing she can draw from it is that "borrowed time" is similar disciples. disciples can't hold their form without being in close proximity to an intoner... which makes her brow furrow when she realizes that there is something missing in this formula. ]
Can't your Master help you here? If you're a Servant, you've got to have one of those, right?
[ she doesn't know where she's going with this. maybe she just wants to understand, maybe because she feels she owes him that much. something to ease his passing, because no matter how much he dislikes her, he had helped her several times over. it's the least she can do. in the meantime, she brings her other hand up, urging him to sit. ] Sit before you collapse. [ she'll lower herself too, helping him gently seat himself and resting his back against the wall. ]
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If I did, I wouldn't be in this predicament.
[ he'd never explained the details of the grail system to her, so it's no surprise the specifics of it are unknown to her. at her request, he finally realizes he's been standing all this time, hunched against the wall. as soon as her words sink in, it feels like strings that had been holding him up are cut. he falls rather abruptly, though with her so close he simply ends up falling towards her.
tsk, he can't at least save a little face, even now? ]
Sorry. [ for once, there's no hint of cynicism in his voice. ] This isn't something you should be burdened with.
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as archer collapses toward her, she instinctively drops her blade to support him. ] H-hey!
[ he's heavy with the dead weight of fatigue, and she only barely manages to smoothly transition them down. ]
Shit. [ sigh. ] Are you usually this sappy?
[ she has him laid across her thighs. she doesn't even attempt to move him at this point; if he's going to fade, she'll be free soon enough. ]
Why couldn't you get yourself a damn Master anyway? [ she sort of assumes it has to do with his pride, but... who really knows. ] Can't be that hard.
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Sappy, huh? [ normally, that comment probably would bother him. ] What a shame, it seems I'm hurting my image.
[ though he tries to pull himself up a bit, he finds he doesn't even have the strength to manage that. ]
Choosing someone to walk beside, following the same path. It's hardly an easy decision to make. [ he's speaking more hypothetically than anything else, and there's far more to it than that... but for now that's enough. ]
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[ she doesn't know why she's getting angry, now. she hasn't been here long, but he's by far considered one of her more pleasant company. not only because they found eachother in the simulations, but because of his strange tendencies to worry in an entirely roundabout way. he reminds her a little bit of michael who often scolds her for her unabashed behavior. she decides to stick to that reasoning to justify why she's suddenly sentimental...
but it comes with a price. with the association, she's reminded that michael sacrificed himself to save her, and then mikhail following him. these dragons she cares about continually dying before her. zero doesn't feel nearly the same about archer as she does with the dragons, but there's a guilt there: her failure to save them in return. that these dragons selflessly helped her of their own volition and fell for it.
she doesn't know what archer had done to get himself in this position, but that hardly matters now. he seems like the type who would risk his life to save another regardless, if she's understanding him correctly.
zero glances down to archer's face, staying silent. her heart thumps loudly against her chest when she remembers them. the source of her nightmares and guilt. she finally speaks, almost uncharacteristically soft: ] Hey, Archer.
[ he may realize it's the first time she calls him by name. ]
If you were given another chance, would you take it?
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how irritating.
her question catches him off guard, if only because it's a question he's long considered before. in life, when given a second chance, he'd taken it. he chose to become a counter guardian, living a second life in servitude of his planet. he'd come to regret that decision over time... the heaps of sins he was forced to commit would way heavily on his soul, or whatever remained of it.
he'd gone as far as trying to erase his own existence, in a plan he recognized now had always been doomed to failure. as painful as his life had become, it had still had meaning. he had saved people through his actions, even if those actions damaged him to his very core. here, he thought he had learned from his mistakes - that he could move forward and change himself.
had he succeeded? given how he had ended up, probably not. so really, perhaps simply given in to slumber was the right choice. he had long wanted rest; why refuse it now that it was upon him? others could take up his fight, take over the things he'd left unfinished. simply accepting his fate was the smart move. ]
Yes.
[ his voice is firm where it once wavered, finding a strange strength that the rest of him has lost. ]
There are still things I must protect.
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[ the next thing she is going to say should be more obvious as she drags out the silence between them. in truth, she's thinking; she hasn't once seriously considered the possibility of taking in a disciple until this very moment.
she continues to watch him die slowly... or fade, whichever it is that'll come first, she supposes, and abruptly turns to face the other way. has no idea what time it is at night, but it surprises her how quiet the residential district is compared to the wildness on the other side of town. perhaps they're simply all there.
besides silence is the gentle whistle of what she assumes to be crickets, or whatever the el nysa equivalent of those things are. and she doesn't so much hear his heartbeat as much as she feels it against him. faint and again, dying. with a sigh, she shifts him, placing her arms under his and hauls him into a seated position, then resting his back against the wall at last. she sits across from him— maybe something about this is a little reminiscent of their time in the vr, but she does this so that they can face one another. ]
I was thinking, [ she starts tentatively, as she scoots in close against him. ] About how we can kill two birds.
[ zero places a hand on his cheek, then drags a thumb across a still-wet stream of blood from the corner of his lips. ]
Look, I don't care about what you do, if you want to stay alive to protect something or destroy something. But you need a Master, and I need a Disciple. So if you're desperate, then walk beside me.
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but perhaps he should have paid it much more attention; perhaps he should have inquired further. neither truly knows the nature of the other. he'd told her about Servants only in the vaguest of terms, while she'd said nothing about herself. what she is, why she is the way she is, the power she holds... all of those questions rise in his mind now.
he'd absolutely refused to be bound to the will of another, especially someone he didn't know. in truth, he still did not know zero very well. any closeness between the two of them had been manufactured and false, the result of machinations out of either of their control. that had been enough for him to keep an eye on her after she'd awoken, but that was all.
so why would he even consider this idea? never mind whether or not it's even possible, she's hardly a fitting Master for a Servant.
so perhaps that's why she makes a suitable Master for someone who shouldn't be a Servant in the first place. ]
An... interesting idea. [ he opens his eyes again, looking up and studying her expression. it's hard to read, though the concern is still obvious. for whatever reason, she does genuinely seem to care whether he lives or dies. ] Perhaps it wouldn't be so terrible serving someone like you.
But do you really think you have what it takes? There is a cost. [ the connection between the two of them will last until their pact is severed. since she isn't a proper magus, he isn't sure what exactly that means for her. ]
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zero expected to be turned down; that seems to be the sort of person archer is, gunning for logic and rationale, while zero likes to stick with instinct and impulse. she doesn't even know what being a "master" entails entirely, only the vaguest idea that a Master and Servant are somewhat synonymous to an Intoner and her Disciple. she doesn't really care about any of the in-between details.
but for some reason, she does care about this guy. zero doesn't want to attribute it to anything emotional — god, no — but she's likened it to returning a favor to someone who has honest to god kept a good eye on her. and she doesn't want to owe anyone shit. ]
Whatever it entails, I've gone through worse.
[ it's a simple truth, and she is more confident the more he doubts her. ]
Tell me what I have to do.
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his eyes focus on the flower on her face, drawn to it. of course, she's always wondered what it signifies; it's perhaps her most striking feature. it's never particularly alarmed him, as it might some (*cough*), but he senses there is something more it than a simple decoration. her power is difficult for him to understand, but he feels it keenly now. something more than human, even approaching the realm of minor divinity... perhaps that's why she'd have disciples who follow her. ]
It may not work.
[ it's not really a warning, but a statement of fact. her magical energy is different than what he knows, even if his body is drawn to it just as it would the mana of a magus. ]
But if you are certain, simply announce the terms of your contract. If I accept... that should be that.
[ though its faint, the outlines of a magical circle have already begun to form underneath them both. he's always been uncertain what called him forth here, but perhaps even the greater grail remains somewhere in stasis aboard thesa: an unsettling thought, but convenient enough at the moment. ]
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[ just like his isn't a warning, hers isn't much of remorse. both of them know that archer doesn't have much of a choice now, but it isn't as though zero is bleeding for a disciple. she realizes then that she's doing this for the sake of the dying man rather than her own good, but that's something she can explore when certain time restraints are lifted.
zero barely notices the illumination of the magic circle under them, but she can sense what it means. there's nothing so fancy when it comes to disciples; in fact, the extravagance comes only after each individual intoner figured how to summon their respective beasts. zero feels it's tacky in every way, and yet all of the disciples - dito, decadus, octa, and cent - they'd all called forth their beasts the same way. which is why she is at a loss when archer tells her to name the terms of the contract.
how the hell is she supposed to know something like that.
she glances down at the circle below them, then closes her eye. unfortunately, she only has the flower as guidance, and when her eye open again, there's force of song magic that bursts from her person. she places a hand on his chest. ] Heed my call!
[ the flower is dormant, so nothing is necessarily being drawn from it, but she continues regardless. the light below them illuminates further despite the conflicting chants. ]
By the power of my song, I hereby forge a pact, to make this Servant a Disciple of my own. Gods of the East, Goddesses of the West; I hereby offer the flames of my life in order to protect his—
[ the ritual as she knows it is complete, and she doesn't know if this will suffice, but... she observes archer, seeing if he would accept after all. ]
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though he'd realized at some point she was capable of feats of magic, the power radiating from her manages to surprise him. it's more raw than anything he's felt before, yet at the same time somehow personal. he knows she's merely improvising, but the form of the contract truly doesn't matter: instead, it's the sentiment behind the words that creates the bond between master and servant.
offer the flames of my life... though the pact is hardly complete, he can feel connections beginning to form. mana begins to slowly flow from her to him, trickling through the hand she's placed on his chest. it's enough to at least begin stabilizing him; his wounds, which had until then simply remained bleeding, begin to close.
whether its because her magical power is more potent than that of others, or just because he's forced himself to go for so long with so little, the effects are nearly instantaneous. he's hardly fully recovered, but it's enough that he can lift himself up once more, moving his body somewhat freely. while her hand remains on his chest, he goes to one knee.
it's almost awkward, forcing himself into a gesture of respect, but in this moment he cannot deny that she is his savior. for that, at the very least, she deserves the same consideration she's shown him thus far. ]
I accept your oath under the name of Archer. My bow shall target your enemies, my blades shall safeguard your domain. I entrust my fate to your will.
I accept you as my master, Zero.
[ the second the words are said, the connection between them solidifies. though it isn't an entirely new sensation for archer, it's nonetheless gratifying - only now can he truly appreciate just how weakened he had been before now. the fully extent of the contract is still unclear, but for now it's enough to keep him anchored to this world a while longer.
and in return, three red seals appear upon zero's hand. he probably should have mentioned something about that sooner, but oh well... ]
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as archer gets on his knee, she slowly rises to her feet, hand still extended toward him as the song magic intertwines with and soars archer's person, effectively reviving and giving him strength to accept the contract.
in that instant, she feels a small connection between them intially. she doesn't know if it had started with the beating of his heart or otherwise, but a bond is being forged, completely strengthened by the time he calls her master. she finds herself gasping when it's complete, uncertain what she was expecting, but the sensation of being directly connected to someone is strange to her. she didn't know what to expect.
the back of her hand stings as an outline of a flower appears upon it, and as much as she resents another symbol upon her, she knows it's related to whatever this master business is.
the light surrounding them fades, thus completing the ritual. she brings her hand closer to herself, taking a look at the seal curiously. ]
So that's it, huh? I'm your Master. [ she sound amused by this revelation, despite being the one to suggest it in the first place. ] You live to fight another day.
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he remains on one knee for some time, simply allowing his body to slowly soak in the fact that, for the first time in a long time, it's receiving the magical power it needs in order to stay alive.
there will surely be complications to this decision. it isn't one he'd thought out, and it's hardly ideal. there were probably others in this place better suited to being his Master. people that would would be easier to work with. he finally turns his gaze back upwards, transfixing it on the girl he's now sworn an oath to protect. ]
It seems that way. I suppose thanks are in order.
[ for better or worse, he never was the type to choose the easy path. while he already foresees headaches to come, serving her doesn't seem such a terrible fate. he finally raises himself back up to his feet, though his balance is still unsteady. his wounds remain serious, even if they are healing. ]
Though this isn't quite what I expected, I look forward to fighting alongside you.
[ it's not often that he lets himself smile a true, genuine smile. but pretense seems pointless now... he is genuinely happy to still be alive, and there's no harm in showing that. ]
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[ the thanks, she means. as far as she's concerned, this just makes them even. but now that the dust has settled, the reality of their contract is dawning down on her. it doesn't scare her by any means, but it does make her wonder what will happen onward. what it means for the two of them, who barely know each other, who barely understand one another's motivations. now they'll "fight alongside" one another. she leans down and nonchalantly picks up her sword, sheathing it behind her shortly after.
zero supposes this is the kind of gamble he has to make every time he "contracts" a new master.
she'd taken disciples after she killed their respective intoners. they had no choice but to stay by her side in order to keep their form and their wills. archer is in a similar situation; he has chosen her as a master because he was dying, because he still wants to live, because he has things (or people) he wishes to protect. while he's under oath to protect her, it's obvious that it's not the reason... so she sees no reason to fake it. it's not like anyone is policing it, right?
but it makes her curious. would someone else have found him, or would he have chosen death regardless?
zero finds herself furrowing her brows when he smiles. it's strange, after becoming so accustomed to his disapproval. she was in a more vulnerable position when he was dying in her arms, and she was struct by rare sentiment inspired by events from home. it was different when she didn't know that it'd work. but now that he stands before her, smiling, her walls are back in place. she clicks her tongue and turns the other way. ]
Go get some rest. You can explain this Master business with me when you've recovered completely. [ she begins walking away before turning back, only to say: ] Keep your ass out of trouble in the meantime, will you?
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Very well. I'll find some other way to show my appreciation.
[ while the sentiment is still genuine, there's more than a hint of mocking back in his tone now. as if the magical energy rejuvenating him has brought him back to his normal state, beyond simply healing his injuries.
back when death seemed certain, he'd allowed his guard to mostly drop. and now the best he can do is play that off as a fluke; something to be disregarded. fortunately, she seems to be mostly of the same mind. it's difficult dealing with a Master that has trouble expressing herself, but it's not like he's inexperienced with that either. ]
I'll do my best to avoid getting myself killed in the near future. I wouldn't want to waste your efforts.
[ with that said, he slowly fades back into spirit form, now that he's more readily able to do so. though she can sense he's still there, to anyone it would simply seem like he had disappeared entirely into the night. ]